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Infections

CHLAMYDIA

This the most common treatable bacterial sexually transmitted infection. In 2005 there were nearly 100,000 new diagnoses in the UK. Chlamydia can cause serious problems later in life if it is not treated (see Complications). Chlamydia infects the cervix or entrance to the womb in women. The urethra, rectum and eyes can be infected in both sexes. Occasionally Chlamydia lives in other parts of the body, including the throat, lungs and liver.

Signs and Symptoms


Women:

The majority have no symptoms. Where symptoms occur these are likely to include:

  • Slight increase in vaginal discharge
  • Need to pass urine more often/pain on passing urine
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Pain during sex
  • Irregular menstrual bleeding
  • Painful swelling/irritation in eyes (if infected)

Men:

Men are more likely to notice symptoms than women but may also have no symptoms. Where symptoms occur these are likely to include:

  • Penile discharge
  • Pain or burning when passing urine
  • Painful swelling/irritation in eyes (if infected)
  • Rectal Chlamydia rarely causes symptoms

How Chlamydia is passed on


Having sex with someone who is infected
Symptoms will usually appear between seven to fourteen days after the infection is acquired. If symptoms are absent it is sensible to wait for fourteen days after a particular exposure before having tests for Chlamydia

A mother to her baby at birth
Occasionally transfer of infection from genitals to eyes.

Tests for Chlamydia

This involves a genital examination by a doctor. Swabs are taken from which ever place may be infected. Women may be given an internal pelvic examination.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Samples are tested using a modern and highly sensitive nucleaic acid amplification test (NAAT) . The result is available 24 hours later.

The treatment is simple and effective once diagnosed - antibiotic tablets will be given. These are called either "Doxycycline" or "Azithromycin". It is important to finish any course of treatment. It is important to abstain form sex until you have finished treatment. Your recent sexual partners should also recieve treatment, regardless of whether they have symptoms.

Follow-up

A check to ensure the infection has gone is not usually required as long as both you and your sexual partner have taken your treatment and you are symptom free. However if you do wish to have a “test of cure” you need to allow at least 4 weeks to elapse after treatment - our tests are very sensitive and if you re-test too soon may pick up 'dead' chlamydia.

Complications


Women
If untreated, Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. See our page on PID. This is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes (the tubes along which an egg passes to get to the uterus or womb). Pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to problems with fertility. Many cases of infertility can be traced back to infection with Chlamydia

If a woman has Chlamydia when she is pregnant she risks having a premature birth or an ectopic pregnancy which is a pregnancy that remains in the tube. The infection can be passed to the baby, giving it an eye or lung infection. Chlamydia can be safely treated during pregnancy Chlamydia can also lead to chronic or long term pelvic pain

Men
Complications are uncommon. However it may lead to painful inflammation of the testicles

Men and women
Reiter's Syndrome can occur – this causes inflammation of the eyes and joints and sometimes a rash on the soles of the feet and genitals. Treatment is with anti-inflammatory tablets such as Ibuprofen.
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Tests available include:

  • HIV
  • Bacterial Vaginosis
  • Chlamydia
  • Genital Warts
  • Gonorrhoea
  • Hepatitis B & C
  • Herpes Simplex virus
  • Human Papilloma Virus
  • Non-specific urethritis (NSU)
  • Syphilis
  • Urinary infections

Treatment available for impotence and erection problems

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